CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 35, 6 March 1909, Page 6

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Clifton County Council met ves-1 tmlav at Waitara. Present: Couui-il-J lors Foreman (chairman), F. Julian, T. McKenzie, C. O'Snllivan, A. L. Hunter, s. Kennington, ami Sander. iiOYALTIES AM) ALLEGED DAMAGE Mr. Alt". Corkill, of Taralrt, wrote objecting 1" the council opening up a fresh metal pit on his property, as there was any amount of gravel ill the pits already opened and abandoned. There were now six pit-, and ihese were a distiuet detriment to the property. In addition, the council had latterly been prospecting for more stone, ami Hie result was that seven or eight holes had Jjeeu made, which were a mjuiiu of danger to cattle. He required the council to take its stone or gravel supplies from the pits already opeacd, to repair all fences damaged by its agents, to make good any damage done to the property, and to pay royalty at the rate of (id a yard. Mr. 11. J. M. Thomson, Inglcwood, wrote on behalf of Mr, Corkill on the same matter

The Engineer said there were some old workirfgs, but since he caine tile aame pits had been used always. As for the holes made by prospecting, they were very small.

The Chairman said that when Mr. Corkill stated there were six pits full of good gravel he must remember that the council's officers were the judges of the quality. Councillor Sander said the prospector's , borings had been filled up.

Mr. Corkill will be informed of the position in regard to the prospecting for and obtaining of gravel, and that his claim for royalty at (Id per yard cannot be entertained.

TENDERS. Teuders were opened and dealt with as follows:—Contract No. 171), boulder carting at Inland North Road, A. Whitehead, 3s Od per yard (accepted) ;C. Stockman, Us per yard. Contract 174, fencing Otaraoa Road, T. A. West, £I7U cepted); T. Moratti, 21s per c/iam tn° deposit, irregular}; T 0. Waite, £*247. A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. Mr. D. llutchen, sjudtor, New Plymouth, wrote at some length concerning the council's refusal to pay his costs in the proceedings for closing Vicicery's road, on the ground that the council was advised by its chairman that the work was not done under the council's instructions. He claimed to have acted under instructions from the chairman, and if the chairman failed to obtain thc i council's sanction his failure was a breach of an arrangement made by liini with Mr. J. Vickery, jun., and .Mr. Hutchen. "Personally," he wrote, "it is immaterial to me whether 1 am paid by your council or by Mr. Vickery, but 1 am not prepared to submit to such discourteous treatment at your hands, nor can I allow Mr. Vickery to lose the benefit of the arrangement entered into on his behalf, and therefore I shall not let the matter rest with the decision arrived at through the forgetfuluess of your chairman." Councillor O'Sullivan remarked upon the conclusion of the reading ot' the letter: " That's pretty tough.*' The Chairman: It is a bit tough, it makes me wonder if I've been in a dream. He (the chairman) went on to explain the circumstances, and disclaimed ever having instructed Mr. Hutchen or any other solicitor hut the county solicitor to undertake legal work for the council. He remembered Mr. Hutchcn pointing out that if the road were closed under the Public Works Act the council could receive the proceeds of the sale of the closed road, but he never understood that the council was to be liable for the costs. The tone of Mr. Uutchen's letter was most discourteous. No action was taken. THE URUTI ROAD.

An unsigned communication was received to. the effect that a meeting had been held in the Uruti hall to consider the loan proposals, and a resolution was carried to the effect that a vote should be taken as to whether the settlers were in favour of holding over Air. Potts' proposal (discussed at last council meeting) until Parliament meets; and that in the meantime the member for the district endeavour to have a differential rating clause added to the Loans to Local Bodies Act. The Chairman said he had been in the district, and there was a distinct cleavage of public opinion, but there was a very general impression that if it were found impossible to secure the differential rating they would support Air. Potts' borrowing and metalling proposal. Some, however, would oppose anything that did not fall in with their own views.

Air. Hunter suggested that the council should circularise other councris asking their assistance in having the differential rating clauses added 'to the Loans to Local Bodies Act. The Chairman said there was little chance of the amendment being carried, and if it were passed it would open up a big question and cause a lot of trouble in deciding which settlers should be compelled to pay the higher and which the lower rate Tlie settlers' proposal in this district to the Minister for Public Works was as follows: That a loan of £2OOO, subject to a Government subsidy of £ for £, be raised for the purpose -of metalling the Uijuti.i road from the end of the present metalling up to the Uruti road ford, and all •earthwork in connection therewith, and that the rating area for such loan include all occupied and unoccupied lands abutting on the Aloki road to the Waitara river and adjacent thereto; and that all lands included in the rating area abutting 011 a 12ft. road be rated %d, more than any lands abutting on a Oft. 1 track; and that all lands on the Aloki 1 road be rated only 011 the proportionate I cost of the metalling up to the Aloki bridge, and that all lands on the Uruti road be rated on the full cost of metalling up to the Uruti ford." He considered it quite impracticable, for every year the roading conditions as affecting the various property owners were continually changing, the Oft. track? giving way to broader roads.

Councillor Hunter said the principle was adopted in respect to drainage boards. Councillor OSullivan said it was of no use to discuss the matter. There had been a petition here, but at the public meeting four of the signatories "had declared they had signed it under a misapprehension. A lengthy irregular discussion took place upon the merits and demerits of the rival schemes, anil tile unanimity or otherwise of the settlers, the chairman and Councillors ffnnter and O'Sullivan contributing most largely to the conversation, the chairman pointing out the danger of losing the (iorernmeiit L'rant as a result of the suggested delay.

It was deeided to ask the support of other county councils to a proposal to amend legislation so that a differential rate might be pledged as security for a Joan.

.Mr. fl. Pott waited on the council at a later stage and urged the adoption of hi- scheme, stating that the. differential rating scheme was unworkable.

The Chairman concurred, but pointed out that differential rating would be possible upon another basis

'flic c.iiincil declined to discuss the matter further, holding that any time thus spent would be wasted unless the -el tiers could come to some decision ■themselves. If by their delay they lost the (loverniuent grant, tliev. and not the council, would be to blame. XATIVE OWXERS||[I\

Mr. I'. tVCarroll, on behalf of the "Maori owners, waited on the council and asked for the payment of royalties on stone taken from Fre.cjing's pit. on "native land, for some time past. The money had been withliehl pending the receipt of definite information as to the ownership of the land.—Consideration deferred

The Chairman brought up (he matter of the Tintiyi lands escaping local taxation. He pointed out to tile councillors that Mr. O'Carroll resided on a piece of ground owned by his wife, and as she was a native the land escaped rating, although Mr. O'Carroll had approached the Public Trustee, the Vainer-General, and other authorities with a view of having his property placed on the valuation roll. He was anxious, and so were some of the -.lative owners, to hear their share, but the Government officials were most apathetic, and had not carried out

their promise to have the matter attended to aa llr. O'Ciirrull wished. EKAIJ.

The Engineer was instructed to submit ejtimates o{ the cost of erecting a workman's cottage in the Tarata district for the surfaceman, and to inspect and report upon the site suggested by Councillor Saader, and the cost of giving access thereto.

Councillor Hunter moved that the engineer prepare plans of a ferro-concrete bridge at the Uruti ford, which was unsuitable for tile increasing trall'ic of the settlers—it was decided to apply to the Government to do the work. Upon Councillor O'.Sullivan's motion it was decided to invite tenders fo:quarrying and crushing 50(1 yards of . stone at Jones' pit, Urnti. Accounts amounting to C.1730 7s 2d were passed for payment.